Man who tried to break up Essex bar fight dies

George Lawrence McGraw faces assault charges in connection with an Aug. 4 fight outside an Essex bar which left a man in critical condition.

George Lawrence McGraw faces assault charges in connection with an Aug. 4 fight outside an Essex bar which left a man in critical condition. (Photo provided by Baltimore County Police Department)

Jessica Anderson, The Baltimore Sun

A man hit in the head after breaking up a fight outside of an Essex bar died, Baltimore County police said Monday.

William Earl Law, 59, died on Aug. 7 at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center, after police said he broke up a fight outside Sylvester's Tavern three days earlier.

Officers were called to the bar in the 7300 block of Golden Ring Road on Aug. 4 for a fight. Police said George Lawrence McGraw and another person got into an argument inside and went outside to fight, when Law and several others broke up the fight. Afterward, police said McGraw hit struck Law in the head and then drove away.

Family members of Law, who lived in the 300 block of Stillwater Road, could not be reached for comment.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the cause of death was the head injury and ruled his death a homicide.

McGraw, who was initially charged with first and second degree assault, remains held without bail at the Baltimore Detention Center and could face additional charges.